Are you wondering what to do, now that you’ve finished MOBY? (aka WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART’S BLOOD)? Well, most people just go back to the beginning and start re-reading OUTLANDER. [g]
As an alternative/addition to this tried and true strategy, though, you might want to watch the brand-new (and looooooong-awaited) tv show of the series, which is about to debut on the STARZ premium-cable channel in the US. AUGUST 9th! 9PM! (It airs at 9 PM in each time zone, so it’s always on Saturdays at nine o’clock, at least in the US.*)
I think Ron D. Moore and Starz have done a wonderful job of adapting OUTLANDER into a 16-episode first season (they’ll be doing one season per book, assuming the first one is a success–and that’s up to you. I think it’s amazing, and hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I do!
*(It will be launching on Showcase in Canada, August 24th, on SoHo Foxtel in Australia on August 14th, and on various dates–not yet announced–in New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan, China, Germany, and a number of other places that I can’t mention yet as their licensing contracts are still being negotiated with SONY. (SONY owns the international rights to the show; it’s _their_ business to arrange licensing deals world-wide, not mine.)
For years I’ve thoroughly engrossed myself in your novels…they are my escape and relaxation. Now that they’re made into a mini-series…I’m even more excited. I made my husband sit through the first episode and his only comment was….”has she gone back in time now?”…too funy. And…”what language are they speaking?” So, of course I said gaelic…but that didn’t help him. My only suggestion would be having captions that tell the audience what they’re saying in gaelic so that we can follow along.
I’m loved every minute of the first episode and only hope that the rest will live up to the books. You’ve set the bar high Diana…and the choice in people to play our beloved Jamie & Claire…are AWESOME!!
Diana,
I first saw Outlander on STARZ—then I bought the book. Some people purportedly call your work “bodice rippers”, but I find them fascinating as historical fiction. Kudos. And Kudos to your producer/director for being faithful to you book!
As a descendant of one of Scotland’s most fabled clans (“Douglass”, prior to the perfidy of the Red Douglas sept at The Battle of Arnikholm), I have followed all types of writings, reenactments, etc. of Scots history. I counted among my Scottish friends the author David Ross. It might interest you that the Black Douglasses (my branch) were stripped of all their lands by the Angus “Red” Douglases under the vile Stewarts, and so, with all but our highland holdings in enemy hands, strove mightily AGAINST Bonnie Prince Charlie and any and all of the Stewarts.
Nonetheless, my clan name—originally Dhub glas (“Dark Water”) of Pictish origins, despite its Gaelic translation—lives on. It, in fact inspired the famous abolitionist Frederick Washington Bailey—after reading Scott’s “Lady of the Lake”—to add its name to his!
I DO have a minor pair of corrections, however. At one point in the book you have Jamie explaining to Claire that the broadsword was used two-handedly as well as one-handed. Couldn’t be. The broadsword has a “basket handle”, or hand-guard, which limits it to one-handed use. Also, at one point, Jamie explains that he is able to use his sword ambidextrously. Again, impossible. To invert the sword and fit its “basket” guard over the left hand (clumsy at best, because the basket wraps nearly half around)), one would also have its cutting edge inverted. Despite literary references to the contrary, most broad-swords had one “working” edge. They were very like cutlasses, in that respect, except they lacked the curvature of the blade. If symmetrical, the blade’s upper edge was usually left “buff” or blunt, since, used by a handy and skilled owner, the upper right “corner” of the blade could fend off strokes from the enemy. This would have been far better than using one’s own cutting edge as a parrying shield. There ARE double-edged broadswords, but they’re no more common than single-edged “cutlasses”. Left-handed broadswords are very rare.
Keep up the good work!
Fred Douglass
Thanks, Fred!
There, um, _are_ broadswords that are not basket-hilted, and while those are from a slightly earlier time-period, there were not a few of them still in use in the Highlands in the 18th century. Just sayin’. [g] No, really, thanks for the corrections; will do something about that next time the opportunity arises.
Glad you’re enjoying the books! (Fwiw, no one who’s actually _read_ one would call them bodice-rippers.)
Best,
–Diana
Diana,
Your girls in South Florida are cheering loud! What a wonderful adaptation. We have even pulled our husbands into the fold to watch the show. After reading the below posts noting that the actor playing Jaime is not tall enough…he is; the actress that plays Claire is very tall. That was offsetting for me initially because I anticipated more of a physical contrast between Jaime and Claire. However, once the acting and presence of the characters unfolded I now really like the casting choices. The sets, the acting, the vibe, the cinematography and directing are superb. Better than I had anticipated. I do have one comment that I think everyone is overlooking. We need more than the readers of your books to keep this series (STARZ) alive. All the men in our group are commenting that they are having difficulty understanding the heavy accents thus are loosing the intricacies of the story that make is so beloved to those of us who are already in the know. We are afraid that the general audience needed to keep this series afloat will loose interest if they can’t follow the story. Perhaps something could be done sound wise (not volume) for future episodes that could help this since it obviously can’t be reshot? As I stated before, we can control our husbands (ha!) but are more concerned about the general audience so we are guaranteed to continue to get our fix. Finally, Diana….your books are pure magic. Thank you.
Diane
Dear Diane–
Um. I kind of think it would be simplest just to let the viewers who are unfamiliar with Scottish accents watch another hour or two of the show and get used to it, rather than try to find some technological way (Star Trek-style phasers with translator units seems like the only solution…) of making it easier for them. Believe me, one really does get used to hearing British accents of one kind and another–ask people who’ve been watching “Downton Abbey” for the last few years. [g]
Best.
–Diana
OMG did I really spell Jaimie Jaime???? Please fix that for me. Shame on me!
Diane
Dear Diane–
Well, it’s _actually_ spelled “J-A-M-I-E.” [cough]
Best,
–Diana
Another option is to watch each episode again.. I’ve been doing that to pick up little bits I may have missed. Saw you FIONA in episode 4 ! Imagine you picking on poor Mrs Fitz! But she got you right back. I love her casting by the way, she’s just as I imagined she would be. And I’d say the only one who has the right to ‘SSHHHH’ Claire, is you, her creator!
After reading your account of what it took to get those shots, how much time, can’t believe how fast the shot went by. Give me even more respect for the entire series. How much filming time per minute on screen time, an hour? More?
*Give= Gave
Hello,My name is Carolynann Bernadette Elizabeth McTaggart which is really MACTaggart which comes from the MacLeod clans which their are 33 of them. There were a couple of others in my clan that married into the MacKenzie Familt. The castle was built actually for the MacLeods but they gave it back to the McKenzies to have. We have a great amount of clans connected to the MacKenzies. My name means son of a priest so it is only a few clans that are holy and everything you want has to come from the highlands of Scotland and must be blessed by a priest. you cant by my colors anywhere else around. I tend to see a lot of people who get themselves into the books want exactly on tv as they have imagined it from the books and they are so passioned about it. but writing a book and can put in so much other things to make the reader want to read more than to watch it on tv is too entirely different things. People need to understand you cant put in all the thousands of details that a book has in it into a series only an hour long. Its just impossible. They have to learn how to separate the two of them and enjoy both of them in two different ways. I don’t ever write or go onto sites with making up your own page, or get into groups they have all over the web these days but I was reading the comments on here and seen how the people look at the shows based on your books and they need to see the shows totally separate then the books or they tend to get upset over someones hair or height,or just about anything you have in those books compared to the shows which I think they have done a wonderful job at making and understand movies are not nearly the same and never can be the book and try to always keep that in mind.but I am sure you knew this would happen when they started to make the tv series people were going to start to relate everything they live for in the books and then watch the show I knew I would see these comments people tend to do this a lot. Thank You Carolyn McTaggart
Dear Dr. Gabaldon, thank you so much for your books–they are truly remarkable! These characters have become like friends and family members to me. I had to write to say something that everyone else seems to have missed. These books are not just entertaining, desperately romantic and intellectually stimulating. They are historically educational without being boring, they are both incredibly heartbreaking and wonderfully witty many times in the same chapter, but most of all they are so suspenseful! I have never been able to put one down after starting.
As an avid reader and film school grad, I finally stopped whining about adaptations a long time ago because they are two completely different ways of telling a story. However, I was excited and afraid, first for you and second for my fellow loyal, dedicated fans of what would happen once any of these books or characters were portrayed on screen. I had been reading anything online I could find about what you went through previously, and were going through in the last several years in this regard, until you finally felt comfortable handing over what I think of as your “offspring” and my “family and friends” to a studio. You of course made the right decision and your fans, new or old, will and should be truly grateful. The first few episodes are truly spectacular and I look forward to the rest.
I too had strong opinions on who should be cast as Claire and Jamie but I put them aside as soon as I saw the previews and the interviews. What these characters look like in my mind is only what I can imagine, what they mean to me is just as personal. Their story however is for everyone to enjoy and seeing it told so accurately and respectfully is all anyone could ask for.
Carol Ann
In the first book, Outlander, it says that Claire went through the stones during Beltane but in the series she went through at Samhaim. Why the difference?
Dear Vanessa–
Because the production people needed to begin filming in October. They asked me if there were any features of the story that would be complicated or distorted by the change of season and after a bit of thought, I told them there weren’t. Beltane and Samhain are both fire-feasts, and ghosts are freed to walk on those nights, after all.
Best,
–Diana
Thanks. I didn’t realize that Samhain was a fire-feast also. And Jamie could still watch Claire through the window at the beginning of the story. BTW, loved your cameo appearance. You were awesome!!
ooooh ooooh did Jamie’s ghost call Claire to go through the stones?
Well I certainly type well under pressure, yeah? Regarding the accent situation discussed above, one of our group solved her “in-house” issue (keeping her husband interested) by putting on the subtitle/caption mode which I am going to implement at home. That’ll fix that! Last episode was just wonderful.
I think they’ve done a great job adapting the novel and I am pleased with the casting. As we get a little further into the series, I have to say I’m really loving Claire and how she’s becoming bolder by the day!
While I understand this is an adaptation and won’t encompass or capture everything from the books, I do have to say there are a couple of things that were in the books that I seriously wished they would’ve incorporated into the television series; 1) When Claire asks him if his fingers are strong, I laughed out loud when in the book Jamie replies “Aye, that’s so. Happen you’ve a few chestnuts you want cracked?” And then, 2) When Jamie is before Column and pledges obedience but no vow and then drains the quaich of whisky and comments, “The honor is mine, to be allied with a clan whose taste in whisky is so fine”. I just thought those were two defining moments of Jamie’s character in the books and was a bit disappointed when they didn’t appear in the series. Oh well, I’m sure overall there will be other great moments!
Having read the Outlander series many times I created a vivid mental picture of Clair, Jamie and other main characters. Understandably I awaited the TV series with trepidation, but the worry is over and gone!! I love it!
The physical differences between the book description and the physics of the actors are irrelevant in the light
of their performance. The actors absolutely convincingly became the characters they are playing(That’s what
great actors do!)!
My family and I love the show and watch each PVR-ed episode at least twice.
We also appreciate the show’s adherence to the historical details.
My congratulations to you, Diana, and the whole dedicated team for creating this exceptional show!!
Ivona
P.S. Diana, I enjoyed watching your cameo performance in episode 4.
I’m just wondering, how many hidden talents do you still have?
Just wanted to say thank you for the ending in MOBY. While it left me wanting to read more, it let’s me wait another 4 years ??? in relative peace. Found your books in 2007 when I was commuting in the DC area 3-5.5 hours a day. Your books on CD were followed by standard paper books, i.e. would listen to the chapters in the car and then read the following chapters in hard cover — continuing by CD, etc till I finished. I do admit I skipped 200 pages in book two — must go back and read that book again, but the way in which you write one can keep up regardless. Love your characters — the development is awesome.
Diana,
I just finished watching Episode 105 – Rent twice! They just keep getting better and better. Someone on CompuServe made the comment that the writer of this episode must have taken lessons from you regarding cliff hangers. I totally agree but we only have 1 week to wait for it to be resolved. Yay!!
I could watch these episodes every single day and not get tired of them. Just like the books, I never get tired of reading them, listening to them, talking about them, etc. My family thinks I am obsessed but so be it!! ha
Linda
Loved the books, and characters so much that I saved the whole collection! Thank you to Diana Gabaldon for this amazing adventure! Like so many others have commented on, I truly have fallen in love with the characters of Claire and Jamie and am so delighted to hear that their story is not finished! I will wait patiently, as all good things are worth waiting for, for the next book, but admit to wishing that this would be available now! Sorry Diana, no pressure intended, this comment is just a reflection of my keen anticipation! In the meanwhile, I am thoroughly enjoying the TV series! The casting for Jamie and Claire is perfect, and my imagination could not have done any better in the selection! Bravo to all involved!
Hello
I am in love with the books and now the series of Outlander on Showcase. By the way, Diana, it is on at 10 pm on Sunday night in Canada. I do hope they plan to do all the books in the series if they stick as closely to your books as they have thus far. The series is as I pictured it in the book. I lived in Scotland for 5 years and visited many “ruins” and castles and continue to be drawn to that period in history. Maybe I came from that time : ) Thank you for your wonderful descriptive and captivating words.
Glenys
Dear Diana, Hello again! You signed a copy of OC in Winston-Salem at the Bookmarks festival for me. Your books have inspired me to visit Revolutionary War sites in NC and SC. May I respectfully recommend a book for your resource shelf: The Road to Guilford Courthouse by John Buchanan? From your devoted fan!
I am just in awe of the casting and how your Outlander is shown. But, I have only one drawback (where we live, I guess , and the cable network) Here in British Columbia, Canada, we have a Knowledge Network, which shows a lot of wonderful shows, with all the advertising mostly paid for by subscribers, and the network which your Outlander is shown here, has so many commercials, the storyline is so disrupted, – - we actually watch more time of commercials than the actual story. I am so glad to have read your books (All of them, and some, over and over again) it helps with all the commercial breaks during the show
The Character casting is superb!!! and they have captured the true essence of your wonderful saga.
Diana, like so many others who’ve commented here, I absolutely LOVE your stories! My mother has been a fan since the series began & got me into the stories about 15 years ago. As I was reading I fell in love with Jamie & Claire. I was so excited to get MOBY when it was completed. I feel almost like I’m grieving when I finish a book & I don’t know what’s happening next! I’ve been watching the TV series as well. I told my husband we had to subscribe to Starz just to watch it! (he’s been watching it with me & enjoying it almost as much as I am) I can’ t believe they’ve done such an awesome job of translating the story into a TV series. when the Emmy’s were on TV not long ago I couldn’t help wishing Outlander would win next year. Thank you for giving me & so many others such pleasure over the years!
Absolutely loving the Outlander series. Every character is like I pictured them while reading the books. I’m at episode 3 and can’t wait for more. The music at the beginning is perfect. Diana Gabaldon and crew deserve a standing ovation!!!!!
Have read the complete Outlander series twice. Just starting MOBY… Absolutely the most interesting and well written historical fiction series I’ve read. Wish Diana would come to San Diego!
I have been a fan of the Outlander series from Book 1 and have just finished reading MOBY, Book 8. It is wonderful that the Outlander series is currently being shown on Australian cable TV , however, I personally find it disappointing that when the characters are speaking in Gaelic there are no subtitles for me the viewer to understand the dialogue. It is understood that Gaelic will not be spoken as the series progresses, but at present it would have been so much better to be able to read and understand the highland conversations.
Dear Wendy–
Well, personally, I’d find subtitles very distracting, tending to pull the viewer out of a scene and force them to remember that “This is Just a TV Show”–like stamping “Remember This is Just a Book” in big red letters every few pages through a novel. [g] The production people decided not to use subtitles, because you’re in Claire’s point of view, and she can’t understand Gaelic; she’s obliged–as is the viewer–to guess what’s being said by means of facial expressions and body language. Which actually works fine: in the first episode you _know_ that Jamie is telling Dougal what Claire just told him about the ambush, for instance, when he rides up beside him with Claire–and you know that Dougal is saying, “Whaaaa–?” Then he glances at Claire and then at Jamie, saying something sharp with a rising inflection–and Jamie glances quickly at Claire, then back and Dougal, nodding and saying something. Plainly Dougal just said, “Do you believe her?” and Jamie said “I do, yes.” What’s hard about that? [g]
And in spots–like the judgement in Colum’s Hall–where there actually is a difficulty in knowing what’s being said, the scripwriters provide instant translation, via Geillis Duncan. You’re never left totally in the dark, I mean.
But I’m really glad you’re enjoying the show! I think they’ve done a marvelous job.
Best,
–Diana
It is nice to hear the Gaelic. The shows are so REAL.
Yes, I actually appreciated that they stuck with this aspect of the story and let it be told from Claire’s point of view!